A WEEK of free drama, music and dance classes is being staged at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

The week, entitled Open Stage, is being held to mark the launch of national scheme A Night Less Ordinary.

The national scheme is aimed at giving youngsters an insight in to the arts.

And over the next two years the LBT, in Queen Street, Huddersfield, plans to give away 4,000 tickets to people up to 26-years of age.

The free activities held this week in the half-term holiday, feature workshops on puppetry, street dancing, samba drumming, DJing and MCing.

Magician Stolz yesterday demonstrated simple tricks and close-up magic to aspiring young conjurors and tomorrow, youngsters can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the LBT, with a chance to go on stage and hear about the history of the theatre.

Since the beginning of this week the LBT’s youth theatre team have been busy putting together a play, Storytime Confidential, by young writer Jodika Gilworth.

Jodika, 18, said it was the first time a play she had penned had been performed and she was pleased with the way the others had undertaken the project.

St Patrick's Primary School pupil, Amber Clough, was practising her lines for her part in the play they will perform on Saturday.

The ten-year-old said: “I think the workshops are really fun and it's a really good way of making new friends.

“We’re on half term this week and it’s been really fun here and we’ve learnt lots of new things.”

LBT director, Victoria Firth, said: “The free workshops are part of our launch of A Night Less Ordinary to give free tickets to the younger generation.

“It’s really so they can be introduced to the wonder and spectacle of a trip to the theatre.

“Some of the workshops we run on a weekly basis, but some of them are just special events for this week.

“So far so good. It’s going really well and the youngsters seem to be really enjoying themselves.”

All week an exhibition featuring work from well-known children’s illustrators can be viewed in the main foyer.

It's still not too late to book a free workshop. Call the box office on 01484 430528.

For more information on which tickets you can pick up for free log onto www.anightlessordinary.org.uk